Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/10/31 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 149 and attached document submitted by the applicant in lieu of DD Form 293. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 030721 Discharge Received: Date: 030925 Chapter: 5-13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Personality Disorder RE: SPD: JFX Unit/Location: HHB Div Arty, APO AE 09034 Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 25 Current ENL Date: 020411 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 05Mos, 15Days ????? Total Service: 06 Yrs, 07Mos, 29Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR-961112-970126/NA ADT-970127-970522/UNC USAR-970523-980819/NA RA-980820-000820/HD RA-000821-020410/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92G20 Food Service Spec GT: 103 EDU: 14 Years Overseas: Germany/Korea Combat: The applicant claims she served in Iraq, however, the evidence of record does not support this contention. Decorations/Awards: AAM-2, AGCM, NDSM, NCOPDR, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Newport News, VA Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 8 July 2003, the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a borderline personality disorder. On 7 November 2006, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, for being diagnosed by a medical professional with a borderline personality disorder, this condition is deeply ingrained, maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration. The severity of her conditions results in significant impairment in her ability to function in a military environment. It is very unlikely that further efforts to rehabilitate or develop her into a satisfactory member of the military will be unsuccessful. The unit commander recommended an honorable discharge. She was advised of her ights. The applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a fully honorable discharge. On 23 July 2003, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of fully honorable. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-13 provides that a Soldier may be separated for personality disorder, not amounting to disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that interferes with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration that interferes with the Soldier's ability to perform duty. The regulation also directs that commanders will not take action prescribed in this chapter in lieu of disciplinary action; requires that the diagnosis concludes the disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired; and states that separation for personality disorder is not appropriate when separation is warranted under chapter 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 15; Army Regulation 604-10 or Army Regulation 635-40. Army policy requires the award of a fully honorable discharge in such case. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and document she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the applicant's narrative reason for discharge. The analyst noted that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a borderline personality disorder. The unit commander appropriately initiated discharge proceedings under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, with a characterization of service of fully honorable. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue, however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Personality Disorder" and the separation code is "JFX." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 26 August 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 0 No change 0 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080018089 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages